Ranchi, July 8: Jharkhand High Court played Cupid and united an estranged couple during the National Lok Adalat here today.

While dealing with a criminal case filed by one Usha Kiran of Dumka against her husband Shiv Kumar and his family, Justice Rajesh Shankar counselled the couple to resolve their differences and resume their married life. .

Usha Kiran had filed a complaint of cruelty against her husband and in-laws. She was allegedly beaten up for not meeting their demand for a dowry of Rs 5 lakh and thrown out of the house. She had been living in her parents' home since August 5 last year.

After the registration of the criminal case, Shiv Kumar was taken into custody and was released on provisional bail on March 8 this year to pursue negotiations for a compromise before the Jharkhand Legal Services Authority (JHALSA) in the capital.

During mediation proceedings before JHALSA, a compromise was worked out and the couple agreed to resolve their disputes amicably. The case was put up before Justice Rajesh Shankar in the National Lok Adalat today where the couple were counselled by the judge who urged them get back together.

Shiv Kumar, aspiring to become a government school teacher, told The Telegraph that he was happy to be with his wife again.

"There were some serious misunderstandings between us and our families. Now all that is over," he said.

Usha, too, sounded upbeat. Her advocate D.C. Mishra said a criminal case was also filed by Shiv Kumar against his wife and in-laws, but all cases will now be withdrawn following the compromise between the parties.

As many as five different benches were constituted in the high court to dispose of cases pertaining to service issues, post retirement dues, appointments and land and revenue during in the National Lok Adalat.

Success story

The third National Lok Adalat was a huge success at Jamshedpur civil court today.

A total of 818 pre-litigation cases were disposed of through mutual reconciliation involving a settlement amount of Rs 1.62-crore while 356 litigations were settled for Rs 1.52-crore.

The settlement figures were higher than the two earlier lok adalats held earlier this year. According to a Supreme Court directive, a national lok adalat should be held once after every two months.